GB2516063A

GB2516063A - A fascia system

Info

Publication number: GB2516063A
Application number: GB1312346.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alex Keeling; Martin Dodge
Original assignee: PRIMAFASCIA SURFACES Ltd
Current assignee: PRIMAFASCIA SURFACES Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-10
Filing date: 2013-07-10
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Also published as: GB201312346D0

Abstract

Fascia system for skirting board S having adaptable elongate panel 11 and attachment means 14. Panel 11 may be adapted to a skirting board dimension by means of pre-formed breaking point 13. Attachment means 14 may be adhesive backed, e.g. double sided, tape, having a foam component, or may be hook and pile / loop fastener. Panel 11 may have a flange 12 extending at an angle or curve from a panel upper edge, said flange possibly having a pre-formed break point. Panel 11 may be an extruded length. The fascia system may include corner elements (figures 3 and 4) with either internal or external angles. Panel 11 may have a channel or fixing means for electrical cable, and may have apertures for lighting units of electrical connector sockets. A method is also included for applying the fascia system to a skirting board.

Description

A FASCIA SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a fascia system, particularly for the refurbishment of existing skirting boards in a building.

A skirting board is a common feature adjacent the floor of most buildings. It is usually a flat faced panel that hides any irregularities in floorboards where they meet the wall, etc. and can also be used to hide channels for electrical cables. Skirting boards can become damaged due to simple cosmetic marking or, more seriously, water damage when a level of a building is flooded. In the case of water damage, a skirting board (typically made from wood) may expand unevenly and become unsightly, even if it is able to sufficiently dry to be otherwise functional.

Replacing a skirting board can be an expensive and laborious process which is inconvenient for property owners/tenants and insurance assessors alike.

The present invention seeks to provide a fascia system which will enable repair and/or refurbishment of an existing domestic/commercial skirting board, without removal of the existing skirting board being necessary.

In one broad aspect the invention provides a fascia system for an existing skirting board in a building including: an elongate panel length capable of being adapted to a dimension of an existing skirting board; and an attachment means for attaching said elongate panel element to the existing skirting board.

Preferably, the adaption to a dimension of the existing skirting board is embodied by a pre-formed breakage point, or plurality of breakage points, integral with the elongate panel element. In practice, the effective height/width of the elongate panel element can be reduced by the removal of excess material such that the panel will be at least the same size as an existing skirting board. It is preferable that the breakage points enable excess material to be removed by hand, however, in some cases additional tools may be required.

Preferably the attachment means is an adhesive backed tape. The adhesive tape may be pie-fitted to a rear side of the elongate panel or applied in situ. Preferably the tape includes a foam component to increase its thickness and allow for any inconsistencies in the surface of the existing skirting board and allow maximum adhesion by the elements.

Alternative attachment means may be considered, such as a hook and pile fastener (e.g. Velcro®) applied to the skirting board and elongate panel respectively.

Preferably the elongate panel includes a flange portion extending at an angle or curve at an upper edge of the elongate panel. In practice, the flange, which is continuous with a top edge of the panel, may contact or be closely located next to a wall surface extending above the existing skirting board. In this way, the existing skirting board is totally enclosed by the flanged elongate panel once installed. The flange may be a simple right-angle edge of the elongate panel or be formed with a series of curves or other shapes for aesthetic effect. The flange portion may incorporate a pre-formed break point in a similar way to that described above. Such a feature would enable the distance from the wall to be tailored based on a thickness of existing skirting board.

Preferably the elongate panel is an extruded length. In the preferred form the extrusion includes the flange portion and break points formed integrally with the elongate panel.

Preferably the system of the invention also incorporates external and/or internal corner elements which conform to a profile shape of the elongate panel (including flange and preformed breakpoints, etc.). Such corner elements simply help to hide any imperfect joins between the elongate panels being located on an existing skirting board. Most joins will be at right angles, but a further selection of corner element mouldings could be provided to account for any skirting board joins which are not at right-angles.

The elements of the system e.g. elongate panel element, external corner and internal corner may be manufactured from a variety of materials, most preferably plastics and supplied unpainted. The elements of the system could be painted if required or supplied in an appropriate plastic colour.

It is envisaged that the elements could be used to provide a channel for accommodating electrical cable adjacent a skirting board. Furthermore, floor level lighting could be installed by fitting light emitters into a length of the panel.

The fascia system according to the invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: -Figure 1 illustrates a general rear view of an elongate panel element according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a frontal view of the elongate panel element from Figure 1, as applied to an existing skirting board shown in dotted detail; Figure 3 illustrates an outer shaped corner element according to the invention; and Figure 4 illustrates an inner shaped corner element according to the invention.

A general description relating to installation of a fascia system according to the invention is best understood by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings. Particularly, an elongate panel element 11, including a flange portion 12 along its upper edge and a series of preformed breakpoints 13 formed along its length, is capable of being applied to an existing skirting board S which abuts against a wall W, both of which are shown in dotted detail.

Dependent on the overall height from the floor of skirting board 5, excess material can be removed in strips from the elongate panel element 11 by virtue of the preformed breakpoints 13. Preferably, breakpoints 13 are a series of scores which weaken the structure of the panel such that, if sufficient force is applied, a strip will snap off Figure 1 S best illustrates the nature of score lines 13 and, furthermore, an adhesive strip 14 is shown which provides an attachment means for the rear of elongate panel 11 against an exposed surface of skirting board S. Tape 14 may be a continuous length or broken into several pieces. Tape 14 is preferably of a double-sided foam type so that it has some thickness to protrude from the rear surface of panel 11, at least further than any ridges which are formed as a result of the breakpoints/score lines 13.

As is clearly visible in Figure 2, flange portion 12, running continuous with an upper edge of panel 11, is angled back towards wall W such that a complete enclosure is provided for the skirting board S. Flange portion 12 may take any suitable profile shape for decorative IS or practical purposes. In a further form it may also include score lines such that it can be tailored to the width/depth of a skirting board S. It is envisaged that elongate panel 11 will be cut to match the length of a skirting board to which it will be applied either in situ or, preferably, at the point of sale (from measurements taken previously) where longer lengths of element 11 can be stored.

Once the elongate elements 11 are in place in a room on all exposed skirting boards, corner elements can be located over the joins between skirting boards/elements 11.

Figure 3 illustrates an "outward-shaped" corner element 15 which is to be applied over an outward facing right-angle of a skirting board, typically found, e.g. at an entrance to a room, etc. It will be apparent from Figure 3 that the corner element 15 includes an upper back-angled portion which conforms to the overall profile of the flange portion 12. It is likely that the flange portions of adjoining elements 11 will need to be mitred in order to be accommodated tidily within a corner element 15.

Figure 4 illustrates a more common "inward-shaped" corner element 16, intended to cover the join between inward right-angles between elongate panel elements 11, typically found in a corner of a room. It will be apparent that elongate panel elements 11 could be mitred with an excess of flange 12 protruding from each adjoining end meeting in a corner; however, the inward shaped element 16 should negate the need for any precision cutting because the corner join will be completely covered.

The respective corner elements may utilise a similar attachment means, i.e. adhesive tape, as the panel element to the skirting board. However, other fixing/gluing procedures could be employed as appropriate. Indeed, the elongate panel elements may also be glued or otherwise fixed to the skirting board for greater permanence.

As is well known, most walls of a room come together at right angles, however, where IS other angles are found additional corner elements could be supplied. Alternatively, it may be preferable to simply cut the lengths of panel elements 11 more carefully such that cover elements 15/16 are not necessary in order to hide imperfections.

The illustrated fascia system according to the invention can be, by virtue of its materials and design: insect/rodent proof, wet and dry rot proof, warp proof, colourfast, waterproof, wipe-clean, robust such that it will not chip, lightweight (approximately 15% of the weight of a piece of conventional skirting board of equivalent length)) low volume (approximately 8% of the volume of a piece of conventional skirting board of equivalent length), scuff/dent resistant, colour consistent even if scratched, flexible and crack resistant, stain resistant, paintable, recyclable (particularly for off-cuts), made by uPVC precision manufacture.

The basic system as illustrated may be extended to include channels for electrical cables and/or provision for lighting, power sockets, etc. As already mentioned, the fascia system according to the invention is intended to be manufactured from available materials using known manufacturing techniques, e.g. extrusion for the elongate panel element with probable injection moulding for the corner elements.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A fascia system for fitting to an existing skirting board against a wall including: an elongate panel element capable of being adapted to a dimension of an existing skirting board; and an attachment means for attaching said elongate panel element to the existing skirting board.
2. The fascia system of claim 1 wherein the adaption to a dimension of the existing skirting board is a pre-formed breakage point, or plurality of breakage points, integral with the elongate panel element.
3. The fascia system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment means is an adhesive backed tape.
4. The fascia system of claim 3 wherein the tape includes a foam component to increase its thickness.
5. The fascia system of claim 1 or 2 the attachment means is a hook and pile fastener applicable to the skirting board and elongate panel respectively.
6. The fascia system according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate panel includes a continuous flange portion extending at an angle or curve at an upper edge of the elongate panel.
7. The fascia system of claim 6 wherein the flange portion incorporates a pre-formed break point to enable the distance from a wall to be tailored based on a thickness of existing skirting board.
8. The fascia system according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate panel is an extruded length.
9. The fascia system according to any preceding claim, further incorporating a corner element which conforms to a profile shape of adjoining the elongate panels.
10. The fascia system of claim 9 wherein there are at least two corner elements, at least one for use at an internal angle and at least one for use at an eternal angle.
11. The fascia system according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate element includes a channel and/or fixing means for accommodating electrical cable.
12. The fascia system according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate element includes apertures for accommodating lighting units or electrical connector sockets.
13. An elongate panel element for use with the fascia system according to any preceding claim) the elongate panel element including: a pre-formed breaking point; a flange continuous with an upper edge; and an attachment means for attachment of a rear side of the elongate panel element against an existing skirting board.
14. A corner element for use with the fascia system according to any preceding claim, the corner element including: two profiles converging to an angle and each capable of receiving an end of an elongate panel element.
15. The corner element of claim 14 wherein the angle is substantially a right-angle.
16. A method of applying a fascia to an existing skirting board against a wall S including the steps of: cutting an elongate panel element to length to match a length of existing skirting board; adapting a width/height dimension of the elongate panel element to match or exceed a width/height dimension of the existing skirting board; and attaching a rear side of the elongate panel element to a front face of existing skirting board; and
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the adaption to a dimension of the existing skirting board is by breaking a pre-formed breakage point along the length of the panel element.
18. The method of claim 16 or 17 wherein the means of attachment of the elongate panel element to a front face of the existing skirting board is an adhesive backed tape, hook and pile fastener and/or glue.
19. A fascia system for fitting to an existing skirting board against a wall substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. An elongate panel element substantially as herein described with reference to figures land 2 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A corner element substantially as herein described with reference to figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.